‘Hamnet’ and ‘One Battle After Another’ claim top honors at Golden Globes

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another emerged as the most decorated film at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards. Chloé Zhao’s literary drama Hamnet delivered the night’s biggest surprise, winning best film in the drama category. The ceremony, held Sunday in Beverly Hills, largely followed expectations, though a few results reflected a film industry in transition amid consolidation and uncertainty.

Anderson’s revolutionary comedy took top honors in the comedy or musical category. It won best picture and secured major individual awards for its director. Anderson received Golden Globes for best director and best screenplay, while Teyana Taylor won best supporting female actor, cementing the film’s dominance.

The sweep placed Anderson in rare company. He became only the second filmmaker to win film, director and screenplay in the same year as a producer. The only other director to achieve the feat was Oliver Stone for Born on the Fourth of July.

The final film award of the night broke from expectations. Zhao’s Hamnet, inspired by Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel about William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes, won best film, drama. The victory followed Jessie Buckley’s win for best female actor in a drama for her performance in the film.

Many observers had expected Ryan Coogler’s Jim Crow-era vampire thriller Sinners to pose the strongest challenge in the drama category. While it missed out on the top prize, the film still secured notable wins. It earned awards for best score and cinematic and box-office achievement.

A banner night for Warner Bros.

The Globes marked a strong showing for Warner Bros., which backed both One Battle After Another and Sinners. The success came during a period of major corporate uncertainty for the studio. Warner Bros. Discovery has agreed to be sold to Netflix in a deal valued at about $83 billion, while Paramount Skydance has submitted a competing offer to shareholders.

While accepting his directing award, Anderson praised Warner Bros. co-chair Michael DeLuca for supporting creative freedom.

“He said he wanted to run a studio one day and let filmmakers make whatever they want,” Anderson said. “That’s how you get Sinners. That’s how you get Weapons. That’s how you get One Battle After Another.”

Several leading filmmakers appeared on or near the stage during the evening. The group included Anderson, Zhao and Coogler, along with Steven Spielberg, a producer on Hamnet. Their shared presence reflected an unusual moment of unity during an awards season shaped by financial pressure and shifting studio power.

During her acceptance speech, Zhao recalled her early days alongside Coogler at the Sundance Labs. She emphasized collaboration and mutual respect over rivalry.

“As students, let’s keep our hearts open,” Zhao said. “Let’s keep seeing each other and allowing each other to be seen.” Coogler smiled from the front row.

Box office recognition for ‘Sinners’

Although Sinners did not win best drama, its box-office recognition stood out. The award placed the original film ahead of major franchise releases, including Avatar: Fire and Ash.

Some early coverage had described Sinners as a modest commercial success. Final figures told a different story. The film earned $278 million in North America and $368 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing original film in 15 years.

“I just want to thank the audience for showing up,” Coogler said. “It means the world.”

A rehabilitated awards show

The Golden Globes continued efforts to restore credibility after years of controversy tied to the former Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The awards are now owned by Eldridge Industries and Dick Clark Productions, a Penske Media company. Voting is handled by roughly 400 members, far fewer than the more than 10,500 professionals who vote on the Academy Awards.

Host Nikki Glaser returned for a second year with a sharply political opening monologue. Her humor targeted studio mergers, media credibility and Hollywood power dynamics. The tone blended satire with self-awareness.

“Yes, the Golden Globes, without a doubt the most important thing happening in the world right now,” Glaser said, drawing laughter.

Industry tension and political undertones

The ceremony unfolded against a backdrop of unease across Hollywood. The industry is coming off a disappointing box-office year, while consolidation continues to reshape major studios. Several attendees wore pins reading “Be Good,” referencing the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

While the Globes have no direct effect on Oscar voting, strong wins and speeches often influence momentum. Several winners on Sunday are widely viewed as leading Academy Awards contenders.

Timothée Chalamet won his first Golden Globe for Marty Supreme after four previous nominations. At 30, he is considered a strong Oscar favorite. Fellow nominees Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney rose to applaud his win.

“My dad instilled in me a spirit of gratitude growing up,” Chalamet said. “Always be grateful for what you have.”

International and veteran recognition

Other film awards included Wagner Moura’s win for best male actor in a drama for The Secret Agent, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho. The Brazilian political thriller also won best international film. Moura used his speech to reflect on values passed across generations.

Supporting actor honors went to Stellan Skarsgård for the Norwegian family drama Sentimental Value. The 74-year-old actor received a standing ovation, marking his first major Hollywood film award.

“I was not prepared for this,” Skarsgård said. “I thought I was too old.”

Television highlights

In television categories, The Pitt won best drama series, with Noah Wyle also earning an acting award. Netflix’s Adolescence emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners. The series took best limited series, along with acting awards for Erin Doherty, Stephen Graham and 16-year-old Owen Cooper.

Seth Rogen’s Hollywood satire The Studio won best comedy series. The win carried extra resonance, as the show includes an episode centered on the Golden Globes themselves. Rogen also won best male actor in a comedy series.

“This is so weird,” Rogen said. “We just pretended to do this. And now it’s happening.”